Bible Dictionaries
Wisdom

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

is used with reference to (a) God, Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:21,24; 2:7; Ephesians 3:10; Revelation 7;12; (b) Christ, Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2; Luke 2:40,52; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:3; Revelation 5:12; (c) "wisdom" personified, Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35; 11:49; (d) human "wisdom" (1) in spiritual things, Luke 21:15; Acts 6:3,10; 7:10; 1 Corinthians 2:6 (1st part); 12:8; Ephesians 1:8,17; Colossians 1:9 , RV, "(spiritual) wisdom," Colossians 1:28; 3:16; 4:5; James 1:5; 3:13,17; 2 Peter 3:15; Revelation 13:18; 17:9; (2) in the natural sphere, Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31; Acts 7:22; 1 Corinthians 1:17,19-21 (twice),22; 2:1,4-6 (2nd part),13; 3:19; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Colossians 2:23; (3) in its most debased form, James 3:15 , "earthly, sensual, devilish" (marg., "demoniacal").

"understanding, prudence," i.e., a right use of phren, "the mind," is translated "wisom" in Luke 1:17 . See PRUDENCE.

Note: "While sophia is the insight into the true nature of things, phronesis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results; while sophia is theoretical, phronesis is practical" (Lightfoot). Sunesis, "understanding, intelligence," is the critical faculty; this and phronesis are particular applications of sophia.